Kampo for the Treatment of Pain in Japan: A Review

Kampo is a unique, traditional Japanese herbal medicine system derived from traditional Chinese herbal medicine [1]. The Chinese herbal medicine system was first introduced into Japan from China in 552 AD. In the Tokugawa era, during the early to mid-18th century, Japan experienced a so-called renaissance [1, 2].

Kampo has been the backbone of Japanese medicine for more than 1500 years. After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Japan decided to make efforts to achieve modernization, or Westernization. As part of its thorough efforts to dispel many traditions as pre-modern, the Meiji government implemented the German system in official medical education and practice, and at the same time excluded the Kampo system as pre-modern [1, 2]. The Japanese government had long recognized Kampo, even as Kampo herbs were categorized as drugs separate from Western synthetic drugs. It took several more years for Kampo medicine to receive official attention around 1970 [1‐3]. The time-tested herbal remedies of Kampo had regained the attention of the public at last. The National Health Insurance System, which enables everyone in Japan to receive advanced health care at a low cost, now allows patients to access Western and Kampo medical care at the same time in the same medical institution [4].

Kampo consists of a system of essentially three dichotomies and three substance concepts [3‐8]. The three dichotomies are: Yin-You (ying-yang), Kyo-Jitsu, and Netsu-Kan (translated into English as “positive–negative”, “hollow-full”, and “hot–cold”, respectively). The three substance categories are Ki (Qi), Ketsu, and Sui. Ki (Qi) is energy fundamental to living things. In contrast to the Ki (Qi) concept, Ketsu and Sui are much closer to the common concepts of blood and bodily fluids, respectively. In Kampo, the healthy state of human beings means a well-balanced or non-deviated condition of the three dichotomies and the three substance concepts. The central concept of Kampo is Sho, a word that can most closely be translated into English as “symptom,” [7, 8], but also has some connotation as “signs.” When assessing disease due to deviation and Sho, four specific diagnostic procedures are used. According to Kampo theory, the most appropriate Kampo formula should be prescribed for each individual based on four diagnostic procedures (purely observational approaches): (1) visual observation, (2) listening to the sounds made by the patient’s body, (3) smelling and touching the patient, and (4) listening to what they say.

It can be difficult for Western scientists and physicians to understand traditional Chinese medicine or Kampo until the full complexities of the three dichotomies and three substance concepts are grasped. The traditional Chinese medicine paradigm is very different from that of modern Western medicine. In addition, it is risky for Western physicians to use any Kampo or traditional Chinese medicine formulae outside the context of Kampo’s cognitive paradigm. Since the full complexities of the three dichotomies, three substance concepts, and the context of Kampo’s cognitive paradigm cannot be elaborated on easily or simply, for the purposes of this review they are not discussed.

This article is based on previously conducted studies and does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

In Japan, the national health insurance system enables all citizens to receive advanced healthcare at a low cost. Kampo has long been used in Japan for the treatment of both acute and chronic pain. Moreover, some patients who cannot use adequate doses of certain Western medicines because of their side effects, such as opioids and antineuropathic drugs, can obtain moderate or high levels of satisfaction with a combination use including Kampo. Herein, we reviewed the available literatures and reports related to Kampo for treatment of pain in PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar on websites up to December 2019. We summarize possible indications of Kampo medicine for patients with common pain diseases (Fig. 1). Each Kampo medicine consists of various herbal ingredients as shown in Table 1.

Kampo medicine has been reported to treat neuropathy. Neuropathy is one of the most frequent diabetic complications [9, 10]. Pain related to diabetic neuropathy, leading to neuropathic pain, has been hard to control irrespective of several recommendations of Western medicine [10]. Although tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants are applied to manage the pain [11], these drugs often fail to provide satisfactory results due to adverse effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, somnolence, and sedation [12].

Goshajinkigan (a.k.a. Niu-Che-Sen-Qi-Wan), a Kampo medicine, has been used in Japan since ancient times to treat back pain and numbness. Goshajinkigan, which includes processed Aconiti tuber, was reported to improve subjective symptoms in diabetic patients [13], and a basic study of streptozocin-induced diabetic mice showed that the increased antinociceptive effect of Goshajinkigan was derived by stimulating spinal opioid receptors via the release of dynorphin [14]. Furthermore, another basic study showed that the antinociceptive effect of Goshajinkigan is derived from the peripheral action of increased nitric oxide [15, 16].

Moreover, neuropathy is one of the most frequent chemotherapy-related complications [17]. Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain is highly refractory to drugs such as opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, and anticonvulsants, as is diabetic neuropathic pain [18]. Kampo medicine has been successfully applied for the management and prevention of not just diabetic neuropathic pain but also chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain in Japan, according to accumulating evidence shown in basic and clinical studies. Several articles have reported clinical effects of Goshajinkigan on chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain [19‐24]. A clinical retrospective survey showed that in addition to Goshajinkigan, Hachimijiogan (a.k.a. Ba-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan) and Keishibukuryogan (a.k.a. Gui-Zhi-Fu-Ling-Wan) were also effective Kampo medicines for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. Their beneficial effects were observed independent of the timing of the treatment after cancer chemotherapy [18]. Basic studies have showed that oxaliplatin induces mechanical allodynia and cold hypersensitivity, but not thermal hyperalgesia, and it reduced current perception thresholds of Aδ- and Aβ-fibers but not C-fibers. However, mechanical allodynia and other effects were counteracted by Goshajinkigan [22‐24], the effectiveness of which was increased by using in combination with Bushi, a processed Aconiti tuber. Yokukansan (a.k.a. Yi-Gan-San), a Kampo medicine frequently used for various neurogenic symptoms, has been reported to have an analgesic effect on neuropathic pain by causing a blockade of glutamatergic neurotransmission [25] or the regulation of IL-6 levels [26]. In addition, a basic study showed that Shakuyakukanzoto (a.k.a. Shao-Yao-Gan-Cao-Tang), a Kampo medicine that has anticholinergic and prostaglandin-production-inhibiting actions, significantly relieved allodynia and hyperalgesia in rodents with neuropathic pain [27, 28]. Moreover, a basic study showed that Ninjinyoeito (a.k.a. Ren-Shen-Yang-Rong-Tang), a Kampo medicine, prevented and alleviated mechanical hyperalgesia induced by oxaliplatin in mice [29].

Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a type of neuropathic pain, is the most common long-term complication of varicella-zoster virus reactivation. PHN, once established, can be refractory to treatment despite multimodal therapy. A combination of Bushi and Keishikajutsubuto (a.k.a. Gui-Zhi-Jia-Shu-Fu-Tang or gyejigachulbutang), a Kampo medicine, was reported to be a promising means of treating intractable neuralgia in cases of PHN aggravated by self-reported cold stimulation [30].

Low back pain is a common health problem and often develops into a chronic condition. Cochrane systematic review reported that herbal medicine, namely Kampo medicine, could be effective on acute or chronic low back pain [31].

Although Western treatments are available, Goshajinkigan is commonly used to treat low back pain in Japan. A retrospective observational study of 28 patients was performed at a university hospital [32]. Routine daily administration of Goshajinkigan in patients without spinal disease led to the effects of the product on pain, compared with patients with spinal disease. Moreover, another retrospective cohort study of 151 patients with lumbar canal stenosis divided patient cases into two groups based on treatment with (n = 111) and without (n = 40) Kampo. In the first group, Goshajinkigan, Hachimijiogan, Shakuyakukanzoto, and Keishikajyutsubuto were prescribed in addition to other drugs such as pregabalin and opioids. The use of pregabalin and opioids decreased significantly in patients receiving treatment in conjunction with Kampo, and the number of patients who discontinued use of pregabalin or opioids was significantly larger in patients being treated with Kampo [33].

A retrospective survey conducted at the first multidisciplinary pain center in Japan showed that Kampo medicines were prescribed for 221 out of a total of 487 patients, based on patient-centered Kampo diagnosis, and of those 221 patients, 81 were prescribed Kampo to treat low back/lower limb pain [3]. Specifically, Goshajinkigan (22.2%, n = 18), Shakuyakukanzoto (17.3%, n = 14), Yokukansan (16.0%, n = 13), Keishikajutsubuto (14.8%, n = 12), Hachimijiogan (14.8%, n = 12), and Juzentaihoto (14.8%, n = 12) were prescribed. Two-thirds of the chronic pain patients who used Kampo medicine combined with Western medicine experienced further alleviation of pain. Furthermore, a randomized and non-blinded study compared the effectiveness of Shakuyakukanzoto for painful muscle cramps with that of eperisone hydrochloride, a muscle relaxant, in 30 patients with lumbar canal stenosis [34]. Shakuyakukanzoto reduced the frequency of painful muscle cramps to less than 50% in 13 of 16 patients. In contrast, eperisone hydrochloride reduced it to the same level in four of 14 patients.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip/knee is a common degenerative disease of leg joints, which leads to chronic pain as well as functional decline in elderly people. Sinomenin, which is extracted from the Chinese plant Sinomenium acutum and has been reported to have an anti-inflammatory effect [35, 36], has been used for rheumatic diseases for over 2000 years [36]. Research has reported that Boiogito [37, 38], a Kampo medicine, which includes sinomenin as a principle component, could reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis in humans [37, 39] and rodents [40]. Moreover, another study revealed the anti-inflammatory effects of Keishikajutsubuto [41]. This herbal medicine has been widely used in clinical practice not only for postherpetic neuralgia [30] but also several pain conditions such as chemotherapy-induced neuropathy [42], osteoarthritis [39], and dento-alveolar pain [43]. Recently, a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial has begun to investigate the efficacy and safety of Keishikajutsubuto for the treatment of pain in patients with knee OA [44].

Neck pain around the shoulder girdle, which is often caused by cervical spondylitis, cervical disc herniation, whiplash-associated disorders, and frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), is a common symptom encountered in clinical practice. According to data in our multidisciplinary pain center, prescriptions of Keishibukuryogan (34.5%, n = 10), Yokukansan (24.1%, n = 7), Jidabokuippo (17.3%, n = 5), Tokishakuyakusan (17.3%, n = 5), Kamishoyosan (13.8%, n = 4), Kakkonto (13.8%, n = 4), and Kososan (13.8%, n = 4) resulted in 34.5% of patients with a marked improvement, 20.6% with moderate improvement, 13.7% with some improvement, and 17.2% with no improvement for the management of neck/upper limb pain [3].

Nijutsuto is a Kampo formula used to effectively treat frozen shoulder [45]. A case series study showed that Nijutsuto combined with a 20-min exercise program improved pain intensity in 13 patients with frozen shoulder that had been unresponsive to long-term Western medical treatment [46].

Glossodynia is a pathological condition characterized by persistent pain in the tongue not caused by any obvious organic change. Glossodynia is generally managed with psychosomatic therapy and the administration of psychomimetics and/or vitamins. A randomized study of 200 patients with Glossodynia analyzed the effect of a Kampo medicine, Saibokuto, compared with that of diazepam with vitamin B complex [47]. Clinical examinations evaluated the following subjective symptoms: pain, burning sensation, and discomfort. Effectiveness was evaluated as follows: “markedly effective,” all three symptoms disappeared; “effective”, pain improved; or “ineffective”, no improvement in pain. The effectiveness rates were 70% after 1 month, 85% after 2 months, and 92% after 3 months of administration of Saibokuto and 74% after 1 month, 71% after 2 months, and 69% after 3 months of administration of diazepam with vitamin B complex.

Patients suffering from tooth pain, either dentoalveolar pain or nonodontogenic toothache of which the cause has yet to be identified, often seek pain treatment from several different kinds of medical practitioners in addition to dentists. Recently, persistent dentoalveolar pain disorder (PDAP) has been used to describe this kind of pain. Some reports have suggested that the pain disorder in the orofacial region including PDAP could be associated with psychological problems. Moreover, PDAP is reported to be partly somatoform pain and partly neuropathic pain. PDAP is effectively treated by using a unique exercise therapy for the improvement of jaw movement in combination with psychological intervention to reduce parafunctional activities. Kamishoyosan is a Kampo formula used to effectively treat psychological symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, and depression [5]. A prospective study showed that Kamishoyosan improved the pain intensity in 14 out of 15 PDAP patients refractory to the original exercise therapy.

Physicians should note that previous studies have revealed not only clinical usefulness of Kampo medicines to improve several clinical manifestations but also possible adverse effects. A recent review article reports that frequent events caused by Kampo medicines include liver injury (28.2%) followed by lung injury (27.8%), psedoaldosteronism (21.0%), mesenteric phlebosclerosis (5.3%), drug eruption (4.4%), and others (13.3%) [48]. Since the classification of types of adverse reactions; acute, bizarre, chronic, or delayed onset, is applied both in Western drugs as well as Kampo herbs [49], it is important to note that pharmacotoxicity of Kampo herbs can occur at any timing.

Pseudoaldosteronism, which is related to peripheral edema, hypokalemia, and hypertension, is one of the significant adverse events when a Kampo treatment including Glycyrrhiza ingredients is administered [50‐52]. Glycyrrhizae Radix is the most frequently used crude drug in Japan [51], as is included in 109 of 148 ethical Kampo extract formulations [52], and it is used for various symptoms. In particular, Shakuyakukanzoto was reported to be the most frequently prescribed Kampo formula in 2009 [4]. Since Shakuyakukanzoto and Yokukansan are often used for pain symptoms, clinicians should monitor for signs of pseudoaldosteronism in patients taking Kampo medicines.

Pain is a common complaint between Kampo medicine and Western medicine, however, there are fundamental differences in basic concept between them. The concept of Kampo emphasizes the relationship between the human body and psychosocial environments [53]. Therefore, it is possible in Kampo medicine to prescribe different formulas for the same disease when the Sho (Kampo diagnosis) is different [e.g., balance in Ki (Qi), Ketsu, and Sui]. Thus, principal diagnostic techniques in Kampo such as Fuku shin (the abdominal exam) and Zetsu shin (the tongue exam) [54] would be required to use these herbs properly for anyone who is not familiar with Kampo concept. It would be desirable for Kampo beginners to prescribe regular dosages of a formula.

Kampo medicines are often a mixture of multiple herbs. For example, Goshajinkigan is a mixture of ten herbs. Although positive effects on pain symptom are not surprising with ten natural ingredients, identifying which herb and/or compound within the herbs are responsible is daunting. Nevertheless, a growing body of evidence demonstrates that effects of Kampo medicines on pain are convincing.